October is one of my favourite months a long with February, April and May.  I like how the leaves change colour and the days are relatively long still.  I planned to go to the Lake District but the trees still seem a bit green and it was a little windy to get the lovely reflection photos.  I opted for Spurn as there were lots of good birds after Monday's invasion!  I did ask should I go to Flamborough as there was a Rufous Tailed Robin - a bird recorded a handful of times in Britain and in Denmark and Poland once each.  A real mega in every sense but it was a skulker in a  gully which was seen by a handful of people in every 500 present.  It did not seem appealing to me even though that mega rarity would a be a huge addition to my list but it didn't seem satisfying.  

Off to Spurn and my first stop was the Isabelline Wheatear which was just off the road to Spurn at Heddon.  Probably one of the 2 present together at Spurn for the last couple of days.  This was the only time 2 birds of this species had been present together in the UK.  On arrival negative news but the next sentence shocked me.  I had told the guys present I will be going to Spurn next and one asked "do you know about the Siberian Rubythroat?"  I said no and checked birdguides and raced off down the country lane.  I was Flying without Wings (that one is for Mr Greenwood).  An in-joke amongst those present on the 18th of October trip to Spurn.

I could imagine the car park filling up way before I arrived. I hope I had a head start.  I had a raptor fest on the way with Red Kite, Sparrowhawk seen along the way with Raven too.  The car park was not full and off I marched along the peninsula.  There are less than 20 accepted records of Siberian Rubythroat in Britain which make it a mega and this a first for Spurn and Yorkshire.  The bird was at the wire dump which was 3/4 of the way down the peninsula.   We did not manage to take a walk down the peninsula on the club visit due to time and the lack of birds being mentioned there.  

The walk was pleasant and I came across Linnet, Meadow Pipit passing down south.  Heading North were Song Thrush who had probably just crossed the sea, arrived at Spurn and rested in the bushes.  Many would feel the walk along the shingle and sand tedious but it was a bright day and the movement along the peninsula of birds was uplifting.  When I arrived near the spot I was told it was seen flying North to this area we were standing in.  I found an elevated spot and used it to look down into some scrub.  I felt like monarch of the glen over my little territory.  There were lots of Goldcrest, Robin, Chiffchaff present.  There was clearly a fall of Goldcrest and Robin along here.  Robins were chasing each other trying to establish some sort of territory and Goldcrest just crept around in the bushes.  

As I stood watching my little patch of scrub I noticed a Short Eared Owl crossed over from the North Sea Side, drop down and start quartering along the Humber.  A Rock Pipit flew south calling.  Siskin and Redpoll had landed at the southern end of Spurn Point and flew up the peninsuala northwards.  There were also Brambling along the peninsula in the bushes feed along the strandline with Chaffinch.  Brent Geese flew over and their evocative call echoed along the peninsula.  Pink Footed and Greylag Geese flew up the peninsula - we did not see any on Sunday.  Numbers of Song Thrush were good, outnumbering Redwing.

 After 2 hours of standing and watching I decided to call it a day and walked back up towards the visitor centre.  3 guys a head of me suddenly turned to the shoreline, hunched down with one lying flat on the floor to take photos.  The bird attracting attention was a Purple Sandpiper.  The 3 walked off and I sat down  cross legged (lying flat on my stomach isn't really my thing)  on the sand.  The Purple Peep was clearly exhausted.  This was probably the first bit of land it had seen after crossing the sea.  It had landed in the last couple of hours as it was not there on the way down.  Eventually it sat down and closed it's eyes.  I really hope it would wake up again.  

At the Warren there was some crests and with a little patience a Firecrest was present.  It would not stay still long enough to take a photo and often hidden behind foliage.  I heard a group of people talking and instantly recognised one voice.  It was Andy Bunting who managed the Infocus shop first at Martin Mere then  Brockholes.  He had moved here and not regretted it.  I was talking to another North West birder and I mentioned Andy Bunting and how I picked up his voice and accent.  The birder said "so you identified him on call"  For lunch I had my cold chicken and potato biryani followed be a Vegetable pasty form the cafe!  Mmm!  I then ordered a pot of tea and a slice of gooseberry crumble with cream followed by a Yorkshire scounderel or a fat rascal as they may be known.  Trust me these are names of sweet treats not types of people. 

A Bluethroat was showing at the Cornerfield which I walked too.  In fact it was showing very well but often chased by a Robin.  It actually ended up in the mist-net so it was ringed.  The blue on the throat could often be seen distinctively through the vegetation.  It fed on the ground, hopping and the n hiding but back out again.  I have seen Bluethroats abroad so this was a UK tick for me.        

Next stop was another Firecrest in the Churchfield which did little to allow photos to be taken.  Another surprise here was a Great Spotted Woodpecker!  I walked to the Spurn Birds Observatory garden to see if I could locate the Dusky Warbler but  no luck.  It was not really a garden but more of a field surrounded by trees!  The Dusky Warbler would be a lifer if it showed.

Along the Humber in a copse was a Hume's Leaf Warbler.  There was a bit of a wait for it to show.  I did hear it call.  It showed after 10 minutes but briefly. That sighting would not have been possible if it had not been the young man from Leicester who had just arrived at the spot and picked it up straight away!    Another UK tick but one I have seen abroad.  I asked someone present if the Bean Geese were still resent at the nearby Sammy's Point and he said no they have gone. I said "good!"  He laughed and replied "that is not the attitude to have!"  

Off to see the Black Redstarts at the cliff, just behind the caravan park near the Bluebell.  A male and female Black Redstart darted around catching food, flame tails often quivering in the bright sun. 

It was nearly 5pm and my last stop was to go to the Isabelline/Red Tailed/Daurian Shrike 10 minutes away but out of the area!  On arrival to the spot I noticed no cars present.  I asked a local farmer and they said the cars all went 30 minutes ago.  I searched and then arrived the young man from Leicester who clearly had eyes of an Eagle.  He picked out a Ring Ouzel there a new addition the day list along with the present Buzzard which he did not have to point out to me. The Shrike had clearly gone to roost as the temperature had dropped.  I thought I should have come here earlier but I was in two minds.  It was a first winter bird so it may not be identified to species level.  However, this complex is one of the most beautiful of Shrikes and I knew I should have come here before going into Spurn.

A few days since my last visit and the cast has changed.  A Spurn visit needs a lot of planning and focus.  I feel I was sacrificing some species in order to see others.  I was told that Beacon Ponds had Lesser Yellowlegs, Russian White Fronted Geese, Bean Geese along with the Shore Larks but I did not have the time!  I had walked a lot and spent time with some of the birds taking photographs.  I should have waited for further news on the Rubythroat to be sighted as I saw the other species.  An eclectic day list indeed which few mainland areas if any could manage!  A refreshing visit with no regret!

See  you next time Spurn!    

Mute Swan

Greylag

Pink Footed Geese

Brent Geese

Shelduck

Mallard

Wigeon

Teal

Pheasant

Little Grebe

Gannet

Grey Heron

Little Egret

Kestrel

 Moorhen

Oystercatcher

Ringed Plover

Grey Plover

Golden Plover

Lapwing

Knot

Dunlin

Redshank

Purple Sandpiper

Black Tailed Godwit

Bar Tailed Godwit

Curlew

Great Black Backed Gull

Lesser Black Backed Gull

Herring Gull

Common Gull

Black Headed Gull

Stock Dove

Feral Pigeon

Woodpigeon

Collared Dove

Skylark

Meadow Pipit

 Rock Pipit

Pied Wagtail

Dunnock

Robin

Stonechat

Bluethroat

Black Redstart

Redwing

Song Thrush

Blackbird

Chiffchaff

 Hume's Warbler

Cetti's Warbler

Great Tit

Blue Tit

Long Tailed Tit

Wren

Goldcrest

Firecrest

Starling

Carrion Crow

Jackdaw

Jay

Magpie

House Sparrow 

Chaffinch

Brambling

Linnet

Goldfinch

Redpoll

Siskin

Reed Bunting

 Great Spotted Woodpecker

Out of Area but within the East Yorkshire area additions include

Red Kite

Sparrowhawk

Raven

Buzzard

Ring Ouzel

-- Edited by sarfraz on Friday 23rd of October 2026 11:56:46 PM

-- Edited by sarfraz on Friday 23rd of October 2026 11:58:58 PM